title: The antiangiogenic activity of Kushecarpin D, a novel flavonoid isolated from Sophora flavescens Ait.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  Kushecarpin D (KD) is a novel flavonoid isolated from the traditional Chinese herbal medicine Kushen (the dried root of Sophora flavescens Ait). As part of our continuous effort to explore Chinese traditional medicinal herbs and to identify novel natural anticancer products, the antiangiogenic properties of KD were examined in vitro using a human umbilical vein endothelial cell line (ECV304).
  
  
  METHODS
  The SRB and Trypan Blue exclusion assays were used to evaluate the effect of KD on cell proliferation. The antiangiogenic activities of KD were evaluated through studies of cell migration, cell adhesion, and tube formation. DCFH-DA and DHE fluorescent assays were used to detect the reactive oxygen species (ROS) levels. Catalase activity was detected using the colorimetric ammonium molybdate method. Cell cycle and apoptosis were measured using flow cytometry and the Hoechst 33258 staining assay.
  
  
  RESULTS
  The results indicated that KD showed antiangiogenic activity via inhibitory effects on cell proliferation, cell migration, cell adhesion, and tube formation. ROS levels were down-regulated and catalase activity was up-regulated after treatment with KD. The cell cycle was arrested at the G2/M phase, while no apoptosis was observed using the Hoechst 33258 staining assay or following the flow cytometric analysis of the sub-G1 proportion.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  The antiangiogenic properties of KD, in combination with its anti-proliferative effect and ability to induce cell cycle arrest without inducing apoptosis, make it a good candidate for development as antitumor agent. However, further studies are essential to elucidate its mechanism of action.
authors.affiliation: School of Life Sciences, Lanzhou University, Lanzhou 730000, China.
authors.forename: Li-Ping
authors.initials: LP
authors.lastname: Pu
authors.forename: He-Ping
authors.initials: HP
authors.lastname: Chen
authors.forename: Mei-Ai
authors.initials: MA
authors.lastname: Cao
authors.forename: Xiu-Li
authors.initials: XL
authors.lastname: Zhang
authors.forename: Qing-Xiang
authors.initials: QX
authors.lastname: Gao
authors.forename: Cheng-Shan
authors.initials: CS
authors.lastname: Yuan
authors.forename: Chun-Ming
authors.initials: CM
authors.lastname: Wang
mesh_terms: D020533:Angiogenesis Inhibitors / Q000302:isolation & purification / Q000494:pharmacology*; D017209:Apoptosis / Q000187:drug effects; D001572:Benzofurans / Q000302:isolation & purification / Q000494:pharmacology*; D001578:Benzopyrans / Q000302:isolation & purification / Q000494:pharmacology*; D002374:Catalase / Q000378:metabolism; D002448:Cell Adhesion / Q000187:drug effects; D002453:Cell Cycle / Q000187:drug effects; D002465:Cell Movement / Q000187:drug effects; D049109:Cell Proliferation / Q000187:drug effects; D004365:Drugs, Chinese Herbal / Q000494:pharmacology; D005419:Flavonoids / Q000494:pharmacology; D061307:Human Umbilical Vein Endothelial Cells; D006801:Humans; D018517:Plant Roots / Q000737:chemistry; D017382:Reactive Oxygen Species / Q000378:metabolism; D029909:Sophora / Q000737:chemistry*
chemical_list: D020533:Angiogenesis Inhibitors; D001572:Benzofurans; D001578:Benzopyrans; D004365:Drugs, Chinese Herbal; D005419:Flavonoids; D017382:Reactive Oxygen Species; C585578:kushecarpin D; D002374:Catalase
keywords: Antiangiogenic; Cell cycle arrest; Flavonoid; Kushecarpin D; Reactive oxygen species; Sophora flavescens Ait